IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram)

Planning ahead:

Your physician will give you bowel prep instructions to cleanse the colon; this is normally done one day before for your exam. If the bowel is full of gas and/or stool, the quality of the exam may not be as good, so be sure to follow the prep instructions carefully.

You may need to have blood drawn before this exam.

If you are allergic to the iodine contrast used in this exam, your physician must provide you with medication for this, which you will usually take 24 hours ahead of time. Your physician may call our department and speak to a radiologist with any questions about this.

If you are allergic to the contrast and arrive for your exam without having taken the medication, we will likely have to reschedule your X-Ray exam for another day.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke anything at all (no exceptions) for four hours before the exam. You may take any regular medications with a sip of water.

Arrive at the hospital one hour before your exam is scheduled. Ask the scheduler what time that is.

Bring with you to the hospital:

Complete list of medications you are currently taking – name and dosage of each medication, and when you take it.

Written physician’s order for the exam.

On the day of your test:

Come in through the main entrance of Mon Health Medical Center and go to the Radiology Services registration desk, down the hallway to the right of the lobby.

Plan to be at the hospital for approximately two and a half hours.

Before the exam:

Following registration and screening, the nurse will start an IV and draw blood, if necessary.

During the exam:

You will lie flat on your back, and the technologist will take one “scout” image.

The technologist will then inject the contrast into the IV, which might make you feel warm or cause a sudden urge to urinate. These feelings will pass quickly.

The technologist will take X-rays every five minutes, and you will be moved into different positions.

Once all images have been obtained, you will be asked to go to the restroom and empty your bladder. Then a final X-ray will be taken.

After the exam:

If you receive IV contrast, do not take any drug containing metformin for 48 hours after the IV contrast injection.

For more information, call the Mon Health Radiology Services Department at (304) 598-1280.